KARACHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while convening a special meeting of SAARC countries’ representatives today (Sunday, 15th of March, 2020) over a video conference, has stated that to ‘prepare, but don’t panic’ had been his country’s motto. 
Convener said: “As we all know, COVID-19 has recently been classified by the World Health Organisation as a pandemic. So far, our region has listed fewer than 150 cases. But we need to remain vigilant.”
Modi also proposed Coronavirus emergency fund, which would be based on voluntary contributions from all SAARC members. He said that India could start with an initial offer of 10 million US dollars for this fund.
Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Health, Dr Zafar Mirza, proposed that a Regional Mechanism be developed by members of SAARC so that the countries could exchange disease surveillance data in real time to curb the spread of viruses such as the COVID-19. He pointed out though Coronavirus had been declared a pandemic, “it had been deemed controllable as well”.
Dr. Zafar Mirza stated: “The pandemic forces us to think not in terms of nations and states, but as a collective. The unprecedented challenge, therefore, warrants unprecedented responses. We must recognize that the national and local responses remain the most critically important.
“It is equally important to pursue evidence and science-based responses. Stigmatization and stereotyping is counter-productive. The challenge at hand, demands sagacity, vision and synergy.”
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina Wajid, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering called upon collaborated and joint efforts in order to contain deadly Coronavirus.
A relevant piece published earlier:
Coronavirus: SAARC nations to hold video conf. on Sun. 15th March
14th of March, 2020
ISLAMABAD: Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has taken to the Twitter to confirm that SAPM on Health (Dr. Zafar Mirza) would be available to participate in the video conference of SAARC member countries scheduled to be held tomorrow (Sunday 15th of March, 2020) in order to ponder over the menace of Coronavirus.
“The threat of COVID-19 requires coordinated efforts at global and regional level. We have communicated that SAPM on Health will be available to participate in the video conference of SAARC member countries on the issue,” the MoFA spokesperson held.
Meanwhile, Indian Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that PM Narendra Modi will be representing India at the SAARC nations’ video conference.
It is pertinent to mention here that PM Modi has proposed the formulation of a joint strategy by SAARC member nations to control and monitor the Covid-19 outbreak. Modi’s idea was hailed by leaders of all member states including arch enemy Pakistan.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also took to the Twitter to maintain: “Coming together for common good! 15 March, 1700 IST. PM Narendra Modi will lead India at the video conference of all SAARC member countries, to chalk out a strong common strategy to fight COVID-19 in the region.”
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